Next Stop: Nursing ENewsletters

Next Stop: Nursing - May 2012

Welcome to Next Stop: Nursing,
your comprehensive resource for the latest in
nursing news, clinical information, educational
tools and career guidance. This quarterly newsletter
will guide you through school and into a successful
nursing career. Please share it with your
classmates.

The
National Council of State Boards of
Nursing, Inc. voted on Dec. 8, 2010, to
raise the passing standard for the
NCLEX-PN Examination. The new passing
standard is -0.27 logits on the NCLEX-PN
logistic scale. The new passing standard
will take effect on April 1, 2011, in
conjunction with the 2011 NCLEX-PN
Test Plan.

Health
care reform legislation and the rising number of
Americans with chronic conditions have made
"preventive care" a buzz word in health care
circles. Not only is there a growing need
for nurses to provide preventive care to patients
and communities, but nurses' training, and often
their skill sets and strengths, make them
well-equipped to provide this kind of care.

One
of the more recent additions to nursing education
has been high-tech simulator mannequins. While I
was in nursing school, I had the opportunity to
practice I.V. insertion on a simulator (Virtual
I.V.) that showed a virtual image on the computer
as I was inserting the needle into a fake arm. It
was very educational as it showed the precise
depth and angle of the needle.Read more

Working
closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists,
nurse anesthetists and surgical
technicians-perioperative nursing can be
one of the most stimulating, yet
challenging, specialties, according to
Pauline Robitaille, RN, MSN, CNOR, chief
nursing officer of the Association of
periOperative Registered Nurses.

A
recent outbreak of cholera that killed more than
300 people in Haiti last month has brought this
deadly disease into the spotlight once again.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC, 2010), the strains of cholera
recently found in Haiti match strains commonly
found in South Asia, where cholera is endemic and
where cholera outbreaks occurred this past summer.

Outline
Your Goals for the Year.
What do you want to accomplish this year?
Whether it's passing the NCLEX or working
out more, the best way to reach your goals
is to write them down and then share them
with others. Document your success and
shortfalls along the way to stay on track
and make these goals a reality!

Make
Your Health a Priority.Life can be stressful and hectic as
a nursing student, but that is no reason to
neglect your health. Start the year off
right by starting a new exercise program or
aiming to eat at least 5 servings of fruits
and vegetables a day. Adopting a healthy
lifestyle will help you excel in both
nursing school and life.

Find
a Mentor.Enlisting
the guidance and support of a mentor can
make your journey through nursing school
that much more enjoyable. Ask a teacher,
nursing friend or colleague about mentorship
programs that are available through national
organizations and hospitals.

Banish
Stress.Incorporate
simple relaxation techniques into your daily
routine. Simple changes to your lifestyle
such as trying that yoga class you've always wanted
to drop into, or even creating a more
structured schedule can help you manage
stress.

Reconnect
with Friends and Family.For the most success in
2011, take time to nurture relationships.
The life of a nursing student is exciting,
busy and overwhelming--so make sure you
share your adventures with a loved one! Schedule
a study break with someone you haven't
connected with in awhile and you may be
surprised by the fresh perspective you gain
by simply taking time to connect!

Agree
or disagree? Have an article idea? Let us know. Send
your comments and suggestions to contact@nursezone.com.
You and your fellow nursing students may be
interviewed in an upcoming issue of the newsletter!